Depository machine combined with image recording means



L. G. SlMJlAN Feb. 5, 1963 DEPOSITORY MACHINE COMBINED WITH IMAGE RECORDING MEANS Filed May 19, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

FIG.

IN VEN TOR.

LUTHER G. S! MJIAN L. G. SIMJIAN Feb. 5, 1963 DEPOSITORY MACHINE COMBINED WITH IMAGE RECORDING MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

LUTHER c SIMJIAN AGENT Filed May 19, 1960 L. G. SIMJIAN Feb. 5,1963

DEFOSITORY MACHINE COMBINED WITH IMAGE RECORDING MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 19, 1960 FIG. 7

DEPOSIT I RECEPTACLI? FIG. 9

FIG. 8

NATIONAL BANK TRUST CO.

IN VEN TOR.

LUTHER G SIMJIAN 1963 1.. G. SIMJIAN 3,076,965

DEPOSITORY MACHINE COMBINED WITH IMAGE RECORDING MEANS Filed May 19, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. IO

T O 5f 22 INVENTOR.

LUTHER G. SIMJIAN AGENT 3,076,965 DEPUdlIGRi-f Mrafl lildh) CQMEENEE? Willi EMAGE Mldril ld Luther G. Similar @reenwich, Qonn, assignor to Universal Match Corporation, Ferguson, Mo, a corpora tion of Delaware Filed May i9, 19%, Ser. No. 39,312 12 @laims. (till. 346-22) T is invention relates to depository machines and more particularly concerns a depository machine combined with image recording means which is suitable for making deposits in a bank or similar establishment.

In US. Patent No. 2,930,296, entitled Apparatus for Collecting an Article for Deposit, issued March 29, 1960, and in US. Patent No. 2,936,684, entitled Depository Machine Combined With Camera Means, issued May 17, 1969, I have disclosed and described machines which are adapted to accept for deposit such articles as checks, documents, money bills, coins and the like and return to the person using the machine a receipt or validated deposit slip. in view of the nature of the articles deposited, the machines are provided with image recording means in order to record an image of each of the accepted articles and thus produce unequivocal proof as to the character and nature of the deposited article.

The depository machines described in these patents as well as in many other patents require either the sequential feeding of articles to be deposited or the arranging of the articles on a display surface so that each article is clearly visible to the image recording means when the display surface subsequently is moved in view of the image recording means. in further analyzing the various factors involved in effecting automated deposits, it has been felt that there is a need for a machine which would accept a plurality of articles in bundled form, yet provide substantially the identical service rendered by the machines referenced above. Such a machine would overcome several disadvantages, among them the requirement for a deposit-or to be standing in front of the machine and raving to arrange money bills for instance, in a particular manner with the attendant inconvenience and danger of being observed or subjected to psychological anxiety as to whether a strange party may be contemplating unlawful interference. Moreover, the provision of a machine which accepts a deposit in bundled form would render it possible for a depositor to prepare the deposit in advance and in complete privacy, and when convenient, drop the deposit into a suitable opening of the machine in a manner which is substantially identical to the depositing of a pouch in a night depository receptacle.

An object of the present invention therefore is the provision of a novel and improved depository machine which avoids one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of prior art devices.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a depository machine which is provided with image recording means and which is adapted to accept for deposit a plurality of articles held together in bundled form, particularly articles which are inclosed in a covering.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel and useful depository machine which accepts articles held in a suitable covering and wherein the machine has means for freeing each individual article from the covering and feeding each of the freed articles in view of image recording means.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a depository machine adapted to accept articles held in a covering wherein means within the machine free the articles from the covering and feed the articles sequentially l atenteol Fold. 5, lht'i in view of image recording means while returning the emptied covering to a person using the machine.

A further obiect of this invention is the provision of a epository machine which receives articles held in a covering and includes a means for freeing the articles from the covering, aiiixing a validation mark to the covering and feeding the freed articles and covering singly in view of image recording means and finally, returning to the user the validated and photographed covering as a receipt.

in its simplest embodiment, the depository machine according to the present invention is provided with image recording means and means for accepting a plurality of articles such as paper documents, bills, checks, currency and the like. Means disposed within the machine are adapted to separate the articles and sequentially guide articles individually to storage means. Image recording means are disposed so as to view the separated articles and are actuated to record an image of each article. The storage means are located to render the recorded articles inaccessible for surreptitious removal therefrom.

Other embodiments of: the invention as well as still further objects thereof will be apparent by reference to the following specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FEGURE l is a partial front elevational view of the instant machine;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of typical covering enclosing therein articles intended for deposit;

FEGURE 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, along line 3-6 of FIGURE 4- revealing some of the internal mechanisms of the machine;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the internal mechanisms, partly in sect; 11, along lines -t-l of FZGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view along lines 55 in FIGURE 4;

l GURE 6 is an elevational view along lines 6-6 in FZGURE l;

FEGURE 7 is a sectional view of certain portions, along lines '7 7 in FIGURE 4;

FEGURE 8 is a plan view or" the covering depicted in FIGURE 2 after certain operations have been performed by it e instant machine;

HGURE 9 is an alternate embodiment of the covering depicted in FIGURE 2, and

EEGURE it is a schematic electrical circuit diagram showing the electrical interconnection between the various components to render the instant machine operable.

As used hereafter in the specification and claims the word covering shall denote but not be limited to such means as an envelope, pouch, wrapping, cover, case, sheath, band, receptacle, enclosure, or similar article or material suitable for completely or partially holding one more articles for the purpose of protection, concealment or for providing a bundle.

Referring now to the drawings and FIGURE 1 in particular, numeral 311 denotes a front panel which exhibits an instruction plat 22, a hinged access door 13 for accepting articles, an aperture 14 which forms a part of a chute via which a depositor using the machine receives eceipt, and a push button switch 99 for opening the ccess door in the event the door was locked accidentally.

he door will remain locked however when the machine as been actuated.

As shown in FIGURE 2, articles which are to be deposited in the machine, for instance one or more money bills or checks 15, forming a bundle, are contained in a conventional envelope to which is provided with a flap 1?. The normally gurnrned portion 18 of the fiap is not scaled, but merely tucked underneath bottom flap 19.

Referring to FIGURE 6, access door 13 is provided with a knob 2e and is mounted for pivotal motion about stresses a a bottom hinge 21. A solenoid 22 operating via a bracket and plunger mechanism 23 engages an apertured bracket 2 which forms a part of the door in order to retain the access door looked after a deposit has been inserted into the machine and while the machine performs its prescribed cycle of operation, that is, effecting the deposit of articles. Switch 25 senses the position of the door. The envelope is placed into the machine with the longer edge of the envelope leading.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, there is shown access door 13 opened and envelope 16 on support plate 26. When the envelope has been placed on plate 26, solenoid actuated validation stamp 27 is moved toward the envelope to imprint thereupon certain validation data such as a reference number, a serial number, date and time, the word deposited, and/or data of similar character to denote validation. The return of the imprinting head 28 to the raised position actuates switch 29 which via an actuating arm is in contact with the printing head. A further switch 3i), via suitable aperture in the plate 26, is used for sensing the presence or absence of the envelope on the plate. Its function will be more clearly apparent in conjunction with the description of FIGURE 10.

As soon as the envelope has been validated by contact with printing head 28, a pressure roller 31 mounted for reciprocal motion to the plunger of solenoid 32 is lowered against drive roller 33, thereby pinching the leading edge of envelope 16. Motor 34 via belt 35 drives feed roller 33, thus advancing the envelope toward stationary guides 36 and 37. Guide 36 is shaped in such a way that the top edge 38 (FIGURE 4) of the envelope is bent in a downward direction to create a space between the envelope body and the unsealed flap l7, thereby enabling succeeding guide 37 to become interposed between the flap and the envelope. As the envelope travels forward guide 37 causes the fiapto be pulled out from underneath portion 19 (FIGURE .2) and to become completely folded out as depicted in FIGURE 8. In this manner the envelope is opened. The arrangement of these guides is well known in the ,art and is used frequently to open and close envelope flaps in connection with mail insertion and mail handling machines.

As the envelope progresses toward the right, it is fed between resiliently mounted roller 39 and opposing roller 40, the latter being driven by belt 41 from motor 34. Next, the envelope reaches a set of cutting wheels 32 and 43, which are driven via suitable gear mechanisms indicated in FIGURES 3 and 4. The cutting wheels are so located and shaped that they sever the pulled-out envelope flap along line $4 in FIGURE 8, thus leaving the envelope without the flap. It will be observed that a portion of the articles 15 .is now exposed. A further set of feed rollers 45 and 46 moves the envelope onto support plate 50. The arrival of the leading edge of the envelope on plate 50 is sensed by switches 51 and 52. Although in the foregoing description rollers 31 and 33, 39 and dd, and 45 and 46 have been described as operating at constant speed, primarily for the sake of simplicity, it will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art that a jogging motion may be used which motion is well known in the art'of paper feeding mechanisms.

As soon as the envelope with articles contained therein has arrived on plate drive motor 34 may be stopped since no furthermotion toward the right (FIGURES 3 and 4) is contemplated for the present. At the feed-off edge of plate 50 there is disposed a narrow brush-like edging which exhibits upstanding bristles 53 for the purpose of retarding the feeding of articles out of the envelope as will be apparent from the ensuing description.

The contents of the envelope are now to be freed and deposited and to accomplish this task, each article is fed out of the envelope, moved in view of image recording means and thenguided toward a deposit receptacle. The direction of motion for the purpose of image recording andstorage is toward thetop edge of FIGURE 4. The

feeding of the envelope is accomplished by energizing solenoid 54 which via arm 55 (FIGURE 7) lowers a frame 56 which supports on suitable shafting a set of feed rollers 57 and 58. A spring 59 holds frame 56 and the associated rollers in the normally raised position so as to allow the envelope to be fed onto plate 5d. Resilient means, spring 6d, provides tension for the roller shaft. Rollers 57 and 58 are driven by motor-6i. which imparts rotation to the associated drive shaft via belt 62. Feed rollers 57 and 5d are positioned and rotate in such a direction as to engage the topmost article at its exposed portion and feed it out of the envelope while the remaining articles in the envelope and the envelope itself are retained by virtue of the bristles 53. As feed rollers 5'7 and S55 feed successively each article out of the envelope, each freed article passes onto a moving endless belt 63 which rotates about rollers 65 and 66, FIGURE 7. After traversing the belt, the article reaches an inclined guide 67 and finally a receptacle at; which retains the article therein. Recepacle 68 is so disposed that a depositor can no longer gain access to the article and that the receptacle can be removed only by authorized personnel, for instance, a bank attendant, a teller, or a bonded transfer agency. Belt 63 is driven from motor at via pulleysand belt 69.

Above moving belt 63 there is disposed an image recording means, for instance a microfilm camera iii which derives its film and shutter motion via a resilient belt 71 and pulley 72, tr e latter being fastened to the same shaft as rollers 57 and 58. The microfilm camera has its film transport and shutter constructed in such a manner that the advance of the film and actuation of the shutter is responsive to the motion of driving belt 71. This particular feature is well known in the art and need not be described further. Alternately, the camera can be triggored from a switch or sensing mechanism whenever an article traverses feed belt 63. Since feed rollers 57 and 58 are driven from the same shaft as belt 71, it Will be apparent that the camera will be actuated whenever articles are freed from the envelope and fedacross the belt. Lights '73 and '74, serve to illuminate the article on the belt as the article moves in View of the camera. Belt 71 is .sufliciently resilient to permit rollers 57 and 58 to move with the frame 56 as required by the action of solenoid 54.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that one article after the other is fed out of the envelope and each article singly comes in view of the recording means to be photographically recorded thereby.

After feeding the last article out of the envelope only the envelope itself is left which now becomes engaged by feed rollers 57 and 58 and is fed also underneath image recording means "ill. The removal of the en.- velope 16 from plate 5% is sensed by actuation of switches 51 and 52 which, in turn, cause operation of solenoid 75. Actuation of this solenoid causes guide 67 to assume .the horizontal position as indicated by the dashed position and referencenumeral 78. Simultaneously, a further motor, numeral 79, is energized which via belt 8d causes rotation of feed rollers 81 and 82. A brief moment thereafter, allowing sufiicient time delay to enable the envelope to be transferred completely from belt 63 onto guide d7, solenoid 33 effects lowering of the rectangular frame holding rollers 81 and 82 to cause en gagement of the rollers with the envelope. These rollers when rotating and engaging the envelope produce motion of envelope toward chute d4. Chute 84 is connected to aperture 14 so that the emptied envelope with imprinted validation means is now returned to the depositor. In this manner the depositor obtains a validated envelope which has been recorded by camera 70 and which is useful as a receipt. Moreover, should any article intended for deposit have been left inside the envelope, this article too is returned to the depcsitor.

As previously described, feed rollers 57 and 58 may en rance operate with a jogging motion rather than being driven continuously as described hereinbetore. When the envelope traverses chute 84 for return to the depositor, it actuates switch 85 to eifect zeroizing of the machine. Also access door 13 which previously became locked is returned to its original condition.

The microfilm contained in camera 7t? thus shows on consecutive frames an image of each of the articles fed out of the envelope and as the final picture, an image of the validated envelope. In this manner, the various articles of one deposit can be identified with one another and with the envelope itsel. Also, the start and end of a deposit become quite apparent as the envelope forms the separator on the film.

It will be readily apparent that the first or topmost articleor if desired the last article in the envelope can comprise a conventional deposit slip which identifies the depositor by name, address, date and moreover lists in itemized sequence the various items of the deposit. In this manner, the deposit slip provides information concerning the deposit and due to the arrangement described, this deposit slip not being the final item, becomes stored in the receptacle. In this latter case the microfilm need not be developed or inspected except for checking purposes or for providing proof in the event of disagreement or dispute.

An alternate covering or envelope is shown in FlG- URE 9 wherein envelope 9% is designed without a fiap so that articles are exposed in a manner similar to FIGURE 8. Quite obviously, the flap cutting operation then may be deleted. Additionally, one side of the envelope can be imprinted with deposit slip type information 91 so that this envelope serves as an itemized receipt. If the envelope moreover, incloses a further deposit slip, either original or duplicate, both listings may be compared with one another on the film as well as with the items themselves.

Circuit Diagram 5 Referring now to the schematic circuit diagram per FIGURE 10-: Upon placing a deposit on plate 26 switch 39 is operated to cause energizing of relay Kl via switch 25. The relay locks up through switch 29 and upper contact associated with relay Kl. Subsequent closing and latching of the access door applies a potential via switches 3%, 25, lowermost relay contact of Kl to solenoid 27 to cause validation of the covering. Motion of the printing head actuates switch 29 to unlock relay Kl. When this occurs, relay K2 becomes energized which locks ,up through switch 51.

Upon energizing relay K2, the lowermost contact associated therewith applies power to motor and energizes solenoid 32 to urge roller 31 toward roller 33. Rotation of the motor causes rotation of feed rollers 33, 40 and as, as well as of the cutter wheels, thus moving the deposit onto platform Ell. When the deposit reaches this position, the leading edge thereof actuates switch 51 to de-energize relay K2 thus stopping motor 34 and deactivating solenoid 32. Operation of switch 52 applies power to motor 61. Also, solenoid 54 connected in parallel with the motor is energized to lower feed rollers 57 and 58 connected to frame 62.. This condition causes the various articles to be freed from the envelope, to traverse the distance occupied by belt 63 and to be guided to the storage receptacle. in addition, operation of motor 61 causes actuation of the image recording means as described previously. Lamps 73 and '74 are energized while the motor is running.

Operation of switch 52 further applies power to relay K3 which remains energized via switch 35 and the uppermost contact of relay K3. When the last document has been freed and the envelope is moved from plate 50, switch 52 is restored to its original position to stop motor 61 and de-energize solenoid 54. A potential is now applied from switch 52 via lower contact of relay K3 to motor 79 and solenoids 83 and '75. Solenoid raises the inclined guide or to prevent further how of articles to the storage receptacle. Solenoid 33 is providcd with a dashpot in order to effect the necessary time delay to assure that the envelope is fully seated on guide 67. Feed rollers $1 and 82 cause the envelope to be fed toward chute 85 and as the envelope momentarily actuates switch 85, relay K3 becomes de-energized and door lock solenoid 22 is energized briefly to raise the associated plunger, thereby springing the door open. Motor '7? and solenoids 75 and 83 are again at rest. In the event the door becomes latched without a deposit being present in the machine, switch 3% remaining not-actuated, the door may be opened again by depressing push button switch 959. When switch 3% is actuated, push button switch 99 is no longer effective.

Although the foregoing description discloses the use of a covering which incloses the articles and wherein this covering subsequent to its validation is returned to the depositor, it shall be clearly understood that the broad principle described shall apply also to such a variation wherein articles are inserted into the machine Without a covering in which event either no validated receipt is returned to the depositor or wherein a validated receipt is issued to the depositor which receipt is independent of the article enclosing means. Such a receipt may be either stored within the machine or supplied by a depositor to the machine for validation action separate from the bundled deposit. In this latter case, the articles intended for deposit may be held together for example by a conventional paper clip and means provided Within the machine are adapted to remove the clip. Subsequently, the articles are fed individually in view of image recording means and to the storage means. Obviously, the cutting wheels then may be omitted from the arrangement illustrated.

In a still further variation, an envelope as shown in FIGURES 2 and 8 may be used as a means for efiecting a deposit via the mails. In this event, flap i7 is sealed by means of its gummed edge instead of being merely tucked underneath the bottom flap. This envelope after receipt can then be inserted into the machine for the purpose of effecting deposit of the articles. It will be necessary however, to provide means for facilitating opening or" the flap, a feature which can readily be accomplished by arranging a steam jet at the receiving means of the machine to soften the gummed edge. The stationary guides subsequently open the flap as has been shown. in an alternate manner, the flap may be torn from the envelope proper by means of suitable cams and cutting means as are Well known in the art of mail opening devices. This machine therefore is adapted to receive deposits from the mails, open the envelope and effect a deposit, including documentary proof, Without human handling of the deposit until after documentary evidence has clearly been established.

in a. broad sense, the instant disclosure concerns in one of its basic embodiments the insertion of bundled articles into the machine, the separation of the articles and feeding the articles individually in view of image recording means, and finally, storing the recorded articles in a storage receptacle.

While there have been described and illustrated certain embodiments of the instant invention and a few modifications thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various further changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principle and intent of the present invention which shall be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A depository machine provided with image recording means and being adapted to accept for deposit articles such as paper documents, bills, checks, currency and the like which are held in a covering, the combinascreens tion of: an enclosure; an aperture in said enclosure for receiving the covering which holds at least one article intended for deposit; means in communication with the aperture for receiving said covering and freeing said article from said covering; means subsequently guiding said freed article to storage means; said image recording means disposed to view said freed article; control means disposed in said enclosure for actuating said recording means to record an image of the article when the latter is in view of said recording means and said storage means being so arranged as to render the freed and recorded article inaccessible for surreptitious removal therefrom.

2. A depository machine provided with image recording means and being adapted to accept for deposit articles such as paper documents, bills, checks, currency and the like which are held in a covering, the combination of: an enclosure; an aperture in said enclosure for receiving the covering which holds at least one article intended for deposit; means in communication with the aperture for receiving said covering and freeing said article from said covering; means subsequently guiding said freed article to storage means; said image recording means disposed to view said freed article; control means disposed in said enclosure for actuating said recording meansto record an image of the article when the latter is in view of said recording means, and means causing said covering after removal of said article to be rendered accessible to a depositor using the machine While the freed article is stored inaccessible to the depositor in said storage means.

3. A depository machine having an image recording means and being adapted to accept for deposit articles such as paper documents, bills, checks, currency and the like which are held in a covering, the combination of: an enclosure; an aperture in said enclosure for receiving the covering which is adapted to hold a plurality of articles intended for deposit; means in communication with the aperture for receiving said covering and freeing said articles'therefrom; means subsequently guiding said freed articles to storage means; said image recording means disposed to view each of said'freed articles; control means disposed in said enclosure for actuating said recording means to record an image of each article when the respective article is in view of said recording means, and said storage means being so arranged as to render the freed and recorded articles inaccessible for surreptitious removal therefrom.

4. A depository machine having an image recording means and being adapted to accept for deposit articles such as paper documents, bills, checks, currency and the like which are held in a covering, the combination of: an enclosure; an aperture in said enclosure for receiving the covering which is adapted to hold a plurality of articles intended fordeposit; means in communication with the aperture for receiving said covering and freeing said articles from said covering; means subsequently guiding said freed articles to storage means; said image recording means disposed to view each of said freed articles; control means disposed in said enclosure for actuating said recording means to record an image of each article when the respective article is in view of said recording means, and means causing said covering after removal of said articles to be rendered accessible to a depositor using the machine while the freed articles are stored inaccessible to the depositor in said storage means.

5. A depository machine having image recording means and storage means, and being adapted to accept for deposit articles such as paper documents, bills, checks, currency and the like which are held in a covering, the combination of: an enclosure; an aperture in said enclosure for receiving the covering which is adapted to hold a plurality of articles intended for deposit; means in communication with the aperture for receiving said covering and freeing said articles from said covering; said image recording means disposed to view said freed articles; means adapted to guide said freed articles sequentially in view of said image recording means; control means connected to said image recording means and actuated in response to said articles being in view of said recording means to cause the latter to record an image of each article, and means causing each article subsequent to its image having been recorded to be disposed in said storage means.

6. In a depository machine which includes image recording means and which is adapted to accept for deposit articles such as'paper documents, bills, checks, currency and the like, said articles being held in a covering, the combination of: an enclosure; an aperture in said enclosure for receiving the covering which is adapted to hold at least one article intended for deposit; means in communication with the aperture for receiving said covering and freeing said article from said covering; feeding means receiving said freed article and covering and feeding both for viewing by said image recording means; control means connected to said recording means; said control means actuated when the article and covering are in view of said recording means for causing said recording means to record an image thereof, and said feed 7 means feeding said freed article to a storage means which is disposed to render anuarticlelocated therein'inacessible for surreptitious removal therefrom and feeding thecovering to a position on the machine from which a depositor using the machine can remove the same.

7. In a depository machine which includes image recording means and which is adapted to accept for deposit articles such as paper documents, bills, checks, currency and the like, said articles being held in a covering, the combination of: an enclosure; an aperture in said enclosure for receiving the covering which is adapted to hold a plurality of articles intended for deposit; means in communication with the aperture for receiving said covering and freeing said articles from said covering; feeding means receiving said freed articles and covering and feeding sequentially the articles and covering for viewing by said image recording means; control means connected to said recording means said control means actuated when said articlesand covering are in view of said recording means for causing said recording means to record an image of each article and of said covering,

and said feed means feeding said articles to a storage 7 means which is disposed to render an article located, therein inaccessible for surreptitious removal therefrom and feeding the covering to a position on the machine from which a depositor using the machine can remove the same.

.8. In a depository machine which includesv image recording means and which is adapted to accept for deposit articles such as paper documents, bills, checks, currency and the like, said articles being held in a covering, the combination of: an enclosure; an aperture in said enclosure for receiving the covering which is adapted to hold a plurality of articles intendedfor deposit; means in communication with the aperture for receiving said covering and freeing said articles from said covering; indicia means disposed in said enclosure and when actuated engaging said covering and affixing indicia thereupon; control means connected to said indicia means for causing actuation thereof in response to the receipt of the covering; feeding means receiving said freed articles and covering and feeding sequentially the articles and covering for viewing by said image recording means; control means connected to said recording means; said control means actuated when said articles and covering are in view of said recording means for causing said recording means to record an image of each article and of said covering, and said feed means feeding said arti cles to a storage means which is disposed to render an article located therein inaccessible for surreptitious removal therefrom and feeding the covering provided with indicia to a position on the machine from which a depositor using the machine can remove the same, whereby the covering serves as a receipt for the articles deposited.

9. In a depository machine which includes image recording means and which is adapted to accept for deposit articles such as paper documents, bills, checks, currency and the like, said articles being held in a cover ing, the combination of: an enclosure; an aperture in said enclosure for receiving the covering Which is adapted to hold a plurality of articles intended for deposit; means in communication with the aperture for receiving said covering and freeing said articles from said covering; validating means disposed in said enclosure and when actuated engaging said covering and aflixing validating data thereupon; control means connected to said validating means for causing actuation thereof in response to the receipt of the covering; feeding means receiving said freed articles and covering and feeding sequentially the articles and covering in front of said image recording means; control means connected to said recording means; said control means actuated as each article and covering is disposed in view of said recording means for causing said recording means to record an image of each article and of said validated covering, and said feed means feeding said recorded articles to a storage means which is disposed to render an article located therein inaccessible for surreptitious removal therefrom and feeding the validated covering to a position on the machine from which a depositor using the machine can remove the same, whereby the validated covering serves as a receipt for the articles deposited.

10. In a depository machine as set forth in claim 9 wherein said covering comprises an envelope.

11. In a depository machine which includes image recording means and which is adapted to accept for deposit articles such as paper documents, bills, checks, currency and the like, said articles being held in .a covering, the combination of: an enclosure; an aperture in said enclosure for receiving the covering which is adapted to hold a plurality of articles intended for deposit; means in communication with the aperture for receiving said covering and opening said covering to expose the articles disposed therein; validating means disposed in said enclosure; said validating means when actuated engaging said covering for afiixing validating data thereupon; control means connected to said validating means for causing actuation of the validating means in response to the receipt of the covering; feeding means separating the articles from the covering and feeding sequentially the articles and covering in front of said image recording means; control means connected to said recording means; said control means cyclically actuated as each article and covering is disposed in view of said recording means for causing said recording means to record an image of each article and of said validated covering, and said feed means feeding said recorded articles to a storage means which is disposed to render an article located therein inaccessible for surreptitious removal therefrom and feeding the validated covering to a position on the machine from which a depositor using the machine can remove the same, whereby the validated covering serves as a receipt for the recorded articles stored in said storage means.

12. In a depository machine which includes image recording means and which is adapted to accept for deposit articles such as paper documents, bills, checks, currency and the like, said articles being held in an envelope having a flap, the combination of: an enclosure; an aperture in said enclosure for receiving the enveope which is adapted to hold a plurality of articles intended for deposit; means in communication with the aperture for receiving said envelope and opening the flap to partially expose the articles disposed therein; validating means disposed in said enclosure; said validating means adapted to engage the envelope and when actuated afiixing validating data thereupon; control means connected to the validating means for causing actuation thereof in response to the receipt of the envelope; means disposed for temporarily retaining said envelope; feed means adapted to be actuated While said envelope is temporarily retained and said feed means adapted to separate the articles from the opened envelope and feeding sequentially each of said articles in view of said image recording means and to storage means, the latter being disposed to render an article therein inaccessible for surreptitious removal therefrom; control means connected to said recording means for causing cyclic actuation thereof as each article becomes disposed in view of said recording means whereby to record an image of each article; said retaining means subsequently adapted to release the envelope and said feed means feeding it in view of the image recording means whereby the image recording means is caused to record an image of the validation data afiixed to the envelope, and further control means disposed for causing said feed means to feed said validated and recorded envelope in response to being released from said retaining means to a position where the envelope is rendered accessible from the exterior of the enclosure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,803,050 Bouton Apr. 28, 1931 2,342,571 Carroll Feb. 22, 1944 2,604,967 Murtagh July 29, 1952 2,649,352 Prick Aug. 18, 1953 2,668,053 Bach Feb. 2, 1954 2,806,614 Butz Sept. 17, 1957 2,923,587 Zipf Feb. 2, 1960 2,930,501 Cotterell Mar. 29, 1960 

1. A DEPOSITORY MACHINE PROVIDED WITH IMAGE RECORDING MEANS AND BEING ADAPTED TO ACCEPT FOR DEPOSIT ARTICLES SUCH AS PAPER DOCUMENTS, BILLS, CHECKS, CURRENCY AND THE LIKE WHICH ARE HELD IN A COVERING, THE COMBINATION OF: AN ENCLOSURE; AN APERTURE IN SAID ENCLOSURE FOR RECEIVING THE COVERING WHICH HOLDS AT LEAST ONE ARTICLE INTENDED FOR DEPOSIT; MEANS IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE APERTURE FOR RECEIVING SAID COVERING AND FREEING SAID ARTICLE FROM SAID COVERING; MEANS SUBSEQUENTLY GUIDING SAID FREED ARTICLE TO STORAGE MEANS; SAID IMAGE RECORDING MEANS DISPOSED TO VIEW SAID FREED ARTICLE; CONTROL MEANS DISPOSED IN SAID ENCLOSURE FOR ACTUATING SAID RECORDING MEANS TO RECORD AN IMAGE OF THE ARTICLE WHEN THE LATTER IS IN VIEW OF SAID RECORDING MEANS AND SAID STORAGE MEANS BEING SO ARRANGED AS TO RENDER THE FREED AND RECORDED ARTICLE INACCESSIBLE FOR SURREPTITIOUS REMOVAL THEREFROM. 